CityLife

Cell

PLAYWRIGHT and classical composer Ailis Ni Riain premiered her first work at the initial 24:7 Festival in 2005.

Since then she's been busy writing and this year presents her latest work Cell, a disturbing piece about a self-absorbed young man.

Lasting less than an hour, it's a good piece of writing- poetic in parts-
with the meaningful use of a sound-track which would make this an
interesting play for radio.

However the restricted stage area poses a challenge for director Paula Simms to keep the action moving.

Hickey, played by Gareth Cassidy, is a prisoner of his own making.

His cell is his claustrophobic bedroom which he's not left for two years.

It's a meaty role and Cassidy makes his temperamental mood swings believable.

Hickey's only incoming communications are messages about sexual potency, a clue to his own personal inadequacy in coping with relationships.

There are good performances too from Ben Worth as Mickey, his alter ego whilst Jane Howgarth is his despairing mother who lovingly leaves his meals outside his room whilst disposing of his human waste.

Will he ever leave his room or will his family eventually forget he's even there?

Worth a visit.

Cell is on until Sunday, July 26 (no shows July 21/23).